Austin Press Conf. for Sheehan Wednesday at Noon

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT

IN AUSTIN - SUPPORT CINDY SHEEHAN'S COURAGEOUS VIGIL!

VIGIL AND PRESS CONFERENCE
Wednesday, August 10 at noon
Federal Building, 8th and San Jacinto

By now you probably already know about Cindy Sheehan's vigil outside George Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas. Cindy's son Army Spc. Casey Sheehan was killed in Iraq in April 2004. Since then Cindy has been working to end the war and bring the troops home, telling her story and speaking out at every opportunity. This past Saturday she went to Crawford, marched as close to the president's ranch as the police would allow, and has not moved since. She is demanding that Bush meet with her and that be bring the troops home from Iraq now. Cindy is prepared to stay in Crawford until the president meets with her, or until he ends his vacation and returns to Washington, DC.

Cindy's action has already generated tremendous media interest. And there are signs that what she has done is inspiring other Gold Star families - people who have lost loved ones in Iraq - and other military families to also go to Crawford. This effort could easily grow in the coming days and weeks.

American Friends Service Committee, Code Pink, and United for Peace and Justice strongly encourage you to support the work that Cindy and the Gold Star Parents for Peace, along with Military Families Speak Out, are doing. This action comes at a critical moment and we need to make sure their voices are heard.

In Austin, we urge you to help by:

1) Attending a press conference and vigil tomorrow (Wednesday, August 10) at noon in front of the federal building (300 E Eighth St). AFSC and others are sending supplies and financial assistance to Cindy Sheehan and the Crawford Peace house via local UFPJ organizer Lisa Fithian and Code Pink. If you are able, bring your own supplies (list of items needed follows), or bring signs & crosses demanding that President Bush talk with Cindy and the other Gold Star parents.

Afterwards, we encourage you to try to speak with your legislators inside the Federal building and convince them to urge President Bush to speak with Cindy Sheehan.

2) Help us ensure local news outlets are covering this story. Call the editor of the Statesman, Chronicle, broadcast media, producers of radio shows to encourage their ongoing coverage of this important news.

3) Flood the White House with phone calls. Let them know that people in every corner of this country support Cindy and that we want George W. Bush to go out and meet with Cindy! The number for the White House comment line is 202-456-1111. Call your local congressional representatives also! Here are their numbers:

4) If you can go to Crawford, we need people with CAMCORDERS -- directions follow:

Take IH-35 North towards Waco. As you enter the Waco area exit Hwy 6 to FM 185 which will take you directly into Crawford.

Go straight through the light at FM 317. Take a right at the Lutheran Church (Prairie Chapel Rd). Travel approx. 3 miles (the road will wind around a bunch). The camp is on the left where Prairie Chapel Rd. intersects Morgan Rd.